Chapter 275: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [275]
Meanwhile…
Following the meticulously crafted plan, Lumine and her group allowed themselves to be "discovered" by Azar and were promptly thrown into the Akademiya's solitary confinement chambers.
True to her part in the plan, Nilou appeared on schedule at the plaza, captivating the scholars with her performance. Her actions distracted Azar and prompted him to upload the new laws into the Void, drawing the guards away.
The guards, deceived by false orders, pursued the "Little Dendro Archon" to the Grand Bazaar, where they were surrounded and incapacitated.
Luo Qing and Nahida watched these events unfold in real-time through multiple screens in the Void, as if monitoring everything through surveillance cameras.
Seeing the citizens risk their lives for her sake, Nahida lowered her gaze, lost in thought.
Gradually, the screens began to fade as the tasks were completed, leaving only one active feed: Lumine and Paimon's escape from the solitary confinement chambers.
Inside the Solitary Confinement Chambers
Hearing the commotion outside and the sound of the departing guards, Lumine and Paimon knew their moment had arrived. Breaking free, they began searching for Nahida's consciousness using Alhaitham's device.
However, after testing several locations, they found no signal whatsoever. Frustrated, Lumine stood still, seemingly questioning the reliability of Luo Qing's alternative.
After a moment's hesitation, she decided to use the anchor point Luo Qing had implanted in her mind.
The moment she activated it, Lumine immediately sensed a powerful consciousness emanating nearby—far stronger than anything Alhaitham's device could detect.
Following the signal, she closed her eyes, and in the next instant, her consciousness entered an unfamiliar, pitch-black space.
Nothing but darkness surrounded her.
Or so she thought.
Turning around, Lumine spotted Luo Qing seated cross-legged on the floor with Nahida curled up in his lap, her back resting comfortably against his chest.
The sight struck Lumine like a bolt from the blue.
When did their relationship become so close?!
The scene radiated a father-daughter vibe that left her utterly stunned.
She had gone through painstaking efforts to infiltrate the Akademiya to reach Nahida, only to find Luo Qing had beaten her to it.
Wasn't he supposed to be fishing?!
"You two…" Lumine began, unsure how to address the situation. "Am I interrupting something…?"
"No, you've arrived just in time," Luo Qing replied, his tone lighthearted. He turned his gaze to Nahida, his voice softening.
"All right, my little Nahida, it's time to make your decision. Will you go with Lumine, or will you stay here?"
"I…" Nahida glanced at Lumine before lowering her head, visibly torn.
"Luo Qing, what's going on?" Lumine asked, unable to hold back her curiosity.
"Don't misunderstand," Luo Qing said with a smirk. "I'm not helping you—I'm helping myself and Nahida, of course."
He looked at Nahida with a doting gaze before continuing. "But…"
"If Nahida chooses to stay, the consequences won't be pretty~"
"...What do you mean?" Nahida's confusion was evident in her expression.
"You see," Luo Qing explained calmly, "if you don't leave with Lumine, then Grand Sage Azar will remain in power as the leader of both the Akademiya and Sumeru.
"This entire operation hinges on the assumption that you'll be successfully rescued. Without you, things will take a very different turn."
"Like what?" Nahida asked hesitantly.
"If you don't go, Alhaitham and Cyno will be permanently stripped of their positions. Nilou and the Grand Bazaar will face harsh repercussions, and everyone involved in this plan will fall victim to Azar's retaliation. Isn't that right, Lumine?"
Luo Qing glanced meaningfully at Lumine, silently urging her to back him up.
"Uh… Yes! Exactly!" Lumine quickly caught on and nodded vigorously.
"That's right, Nahida. If you don't leave with us, everyone will be in terrible danger. Even I might be imprisoned by the Akademiya and turned into… into their plaything!"
"Nahida, you wouldn't want to see everyone who tried to save you suffer under Azar's punishment, would you?"
"...I…"
Nahida's expression wavered, clearly affected by Lumine's words.
If it were just her enduring the Akademiya's cruelty, she might have accepted it as her responsibility as the Archon of Sumeru.
But now, so many others had been drawn into the conflict. If she continued to hide away, their efforts would be in vain, and they would face brutal retaliation.
Conversely, if she emerged, the tables would turn. Azar and his faction would face the consequences, and everyone else could celebrate with a well-earned victory.
"Luo Qing, Lumine… do you really think I can do this?" Nahida asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
"Of course, my little Nahida," Luo Qing said warmly, ruffling her hair. "Look at Inazuma's Archon. If her people still love her after everything, you've got nothing to worry about."
"..."
Lumine shot him a look, clearly exasperated.
That comparison wasn't exactly… inspiring.
"Yeah! Nahida, everyone in Sumeru loves you!" Lumine added earnestly.
"I…"
After a long silence, determination finally shone in Nahida's eyes. Rising from Luo Qing's lap, she took a deep breath and faced the two of them.
"I understand. Thank you for your encouragement," she said softly. "I'll go with you. I'll reclaim the Akademiya and ensure Azar and his faction can no longer run rampant.
"For too long, I've been too lenient with them…"
"That's more like it!" Luo Qing applauded, a proud smile on his face. "That's the Nahida I know."
"From here on out, it's up to you two," he said, giving Lumine a pointed look before gently patting Nahida's head. "I have other matters to attend to. Good luck."
With that, Luo Qing's figure vanished from the space, leaving Lumine and Nahida alone.
As Lumine watched the spot where Luo Qing had disappeared, her thoughts swirled.
"Nahida, let's go. I'll meet you at the Sanctuary of Surasthana," Lumine said finally.
"Okay…" Nahida nodded.
---
Elsewhere…
Exiting Nahida's consciousness, Luo Qing stretched and yawned, withdrawing his awareness from the Void.
"Sergei!" he called, and moments later, the burly man appeared at his side.
"Master, what are your orders?"
"Go back to the house and inform the General that the show is about to begin. She should come over and make an appearance," Luo Qing instructed casually.
Since no one at home used the Void Terminal, he had to rely on traditional methods of communication.
"Uh…" Sergei hesitated, looking uncertain. "Master, which General are you referring to?"
"..."
"The one who's always reading light novels and devouring desserts like there's no tomorrow."
"Understood!" Sergei saluted and hurried off.
---
T/N: and with this, the 10 chapters end for the month! Thank you and make sure to vote at the end of the month for which story you want 10 chapters for the next month! (hehe for patreon folks again)
Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!
Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?
Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!
— Furina ✨
Chapter 276: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [276]
While waiting for Ei to arrive, Luo Qing found himself with idle time and shifted his consciousness into the virtual network.
At that moment, Lumine and Paimon had just reached the Sanctuary of Surasthana to meet with Nahida. They seemed to be discussing something. Luo Qing, having a general understanding of their topic, didn't linger there. Instead, with a slight shift of intent, he directed his focus toward Cyno.
The moment he switched over, he saw Azar tied to a chair by Cyno, surrounded by racks full of various torture devices. It was evidently an interrogation room.
"So the Akademiya has such places, huh?" Luo Qing mused with curiosity, deciding to observe further.
Cyno picked up a leather whip from the rack, gripping it tightly as he approached Azar. In a low voice, he said:
"I'll give you one minute to confess your crimes, or you'll have no one to blame but yourself for what happens next..."
"Hah, my crimes?" Azar sneered. "I have a clear conscience. What crimes could I possibly have committed?!"
Cyno snorted coldly and stopped talking. The whip in his hand lashed out fiercely, and a blood-curdling scream echoed through the interrogation room, each cry more pained than the last.
"How boring to just beat someone. Let me spice things up for you," Luo Qing chuckled softly and willed his intent.
The next moment, Azar, who was being tortured in the interrogation room, suddenly found his surroundings shifting. Emerging from the shadows of the dim room was a group of beastfolk, identical to those in his nightmares.
The beastfolk walked past Cyno, heading straight for him. As they moved, they began removing their clothing.
"You... you all!"
"Stay back! Don't come any closer!"
At this moment, Azar's psychological defenses completely crumbled. His voice was filled with despair and hoarseness.
He had feared the whip far less than this.
"Please, Cyno, make them go away! I'll tell you everything, just don't let them near me!" Azar begged Cyno frantically.
Yet a flicker of doubt passed through Cyno's eyes. Is this guy insane? It's just the two of us here.
No matter—perhaps he was just faking it.
Cyno continued the interrogation, his whip lashing down again. Screams of anguish once again filled the room.
This time, however, Azar's eyes held nothing but emptiness and despair.
---
"Ugh... why did that even have to happen?"
The scene in the interrogation room was a bit much. Luo Qing felt that if he watched any longer, he might explode. With a sigh, he withdrew his consciousness from the virtual network.
After a while, several figures came running from the other side of the valley, heading towards the location of the Joururi Workshop. Noticing Luo Qing on the riverbank, they changed direction and ran towards him instead.
"Luo Qing, what are you doing here..."
Lumine looked at him, seated by the river with a fishing rod, then glanced at his subordinates standing behind him. Her confusion was palpable.
Luo Qing smiled faintly. "Didn't I tell you? I'm fishing~"
"..."
[Frustration +1 from Lumine.]
This guy!
Every time she had an important mission, this man always seemed to show up on her path with some random excuse!
"Tell me, Luo Qing, you're not here to stop us, are you?"
Paimon asked with a puzzled look, her eyes gleaming with innocent curiosity.
"That's right! I'm here to stop you," Luo Qing said with a grin. "If you want to pass, you'll have to leave Paimon behind as my cup. How about it?"
"Cup...?"
Paimon scratched her head.
"Why would I be a cup...?"
"..."
"Paimon, he's teasing you," Lumine interjected, unable to watch any longer.
"Huh?"
Paimon looked even more confused, still dwelling on why she'd be turned into a cup.
"Luo Qing... that false god, he's inside, isn't he?"
Nahida approached Luo Qing and asked softly.
"That's right, my little Nahida~ Why, are you here to avenge Sumeru?"
Luo Qing reached out to ruffle Nahida's hair. As expected, the sensation in the real world was much better. That faint grassy scent...
Ah, bliss.
"Luo Qing, I know he's your colleague, but I cannot forgive what they've done to Sumeru. So—"
Before Nahida could finish her plea, Luo Qing pulled her into his arms, gently pinched her cheek, and said tenderly:
"Be careful, my little Nahida~ If he dares to bully you, just tell me! I might not be able to lay a hand on him myself, but I'll have someone deal with him for you."
"Mmh... okay, I'll remember that," Nahida nodded lightly. Their foreheads accidentally bumped, but for some reason, Nahida felt no discomfort. On the contrary, she seemed to like it.
Luo Qing's scent... it felt familiar, as if she had smelled it somewhere before.
"Alright, you should head in now." Luo Qing patted her shoulder and gently nudged her towards Lumine and Paimon, looking like a father sending his daughter off to kindergarten.
"If anything happens, just call me. I've got a professional team standing by~"
"..."
Lumine glanced at Luo Qing, at a loss for words. Sharing a look with Nahida and Paimon, she nodded and led the group into the Joururi Workshop.
Once they disappeared inside, Luo Qing's smile faded.
He returned to his fishing chair, watching the bobbing float on the river. In a calm voice, he asked Igor, "Have you notified everyone inside?"
"Yes, sir. According to your temporary orders, everyone has been evacuated ahead of schedule. All the Akademiya scholars have also left. Only the Balladeer remains inside," Igor replied.
"Good," Luo Qing said with a faint smile, leaning back and basking in the sunlight.
"The debts of those at the top shouldn't be paid by the workers. No point fighting to the death over a few Mora."
"Well said, sir. But..." Igor hesitated before asking, "By helping that Traveler and setting up a trap for the Balladeer, aren't you worried the Tsaritsa might hold you accountable?"
"If blame comes, Dottore will be the first to take the hit. I'm just here on a state-funded vacation—it has little to do with me," Luo Qing replied lazily, a mint leaf in his mouth.
"Besides, if Her Majesty truly saw the Traveler as an enemy, why would she list her as someone we are forbidden to kill in your operational handbooks?"
"Igor, never speculate about the intentions of those above you. Otherwise, you'll only bring trouble upon yourself."
"Understood, sir. I overstepped."
Igor bowed slightly and stepped back, falling silent.
---
T/N: also holy grail war got blocked :), caught me in a bad time so no reposting here just going to go straight to scribblehub!
Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!
Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?
Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!
— Furina ✨
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